she's a screamer

Black Canary. Prof. Dinah Lance. Psychology and Vehicular Mechanics. Vindex Academy.

[blackcvnvry-blog]

     “So, this is Vindex... why am I not surprised at its grandiosity?”

[blackcvnvry-blog]

( flashpoint paradox. // au week. )

       ( The Black Canary is just a band, and Dinah Lance is just a normal, boring human... as far as she’s aware. )

      The Dinah Lance of this universe never came into her own. That metagene? It’s there, just unbeknownst to Ms. Lance. It’s no wonder she’s got a rockin’ voice and killer chords, but there never came that opportunity for that Canary Cry to erupt, propelling her into the hero life.

     Instead, she’s jealous. Jealous because the relative fame that she earned as a talented rock singer isn’t the fame she sought. There was a type of fame that heroes maintained, one that came with helping people and being surreal about it. Unlike firefighters, and doctors, and police... her father– killed in the line of duty– certainly never got the attention he rightfully deserved. With no combat skills to speak of, nor remarkable ability to stand out from the rest of humanity, Dinah somewhat despises heroes. 

      Never becoming the hero she was destined to be made her a singer, and one that held no regard for her own life. Reckless travelling and sketchy situations, with a new lover every night ( doesn’t sound like “Black Canary” Dinah, right? ) was the reputation she now presented. 

      But that could change...

[blackcvnvry-blog]

;Memories → Harley Quinn [ @harley-fkn-quinn ] discovering Black Canary’s pregnancy (begin friendship)

[ivyqxinn]

Yahtzee! (Harley // & Open)

[ivyqxinn]

      Harley giggled as the woman rolled her eyes at her. “Don’t ya dare give me sass, Blondie. You an’ I are one an’ the same, puddin’. Don’t believe me? Take a looksie in the mirror!” She extended a portable mirror to the professor, encouraging her to notice how Dinah’s now tangled hair and grease-darkened face only added to the resemblance they bore. “We could be twins! Ahahaha! Two crazy Harley’s! Imagine that!” 

    She grew even more amused at the Canary’s reaction upon gracing her with her kind presents. Cocking her head slightly, propping her elbows on the desk, and resting her head in her hands, Harley couldn’t help but release a fit of cackles. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry! It’s just… We were supposed to be fightin’ and ya just got sick! I mean… A superhero with mornin’ sickness! That’s hilarious!” She keeled over from laughter, taking a moment to brush the tears from her eyes. 

     “Dinah Lance, a professor. That’s fuckin’ rich, yaknow? Always pegged ya as the fighter kinda type. You an’ I, we had somethin’ special. Both of us workin’ best in the field, fightin’ for what we believe in. And now look.” She groaned to herself, the chair spinning beginning to cease.

     “Don’t ya look at me like that, Sugah. I’m here for the same reason you are - to be with my kiddies. After my Puddin’ an’ I broke up, I took some time to reflect and realized that family is most important. And I nevah get to see ‘em in Arkham, no matter how allurin’ that place is to me. So I came to Vindex. Though I can’t say I’ve exactly been welcomed in with open arms. Ahahaha!”

[blackcvnvry-blog]

     Dinah glanced at herself in the little mirror for a second before she pushed it away. She reached up to fidget with her hair and rub a sleeve on her nose before she gave up.

     “I just came from the garage! You try to stay clean when you work on everyone’s vehicles all day long.” She was letting Harley get to her, so she stopped short and sighed. “Sure, we look similar. Not sisters, though.”

     However, she couldn’t keep her resolve for long. Harley’s laughing wore her patience thin and she sunk back in her chair to wait for her to finish. Sure, it was kind of funny in hindsight, and really the reason they were friends at all, but she knew she was just never going to live it down. Really, how many heroines halted in battle just so they could hold back their hair and puke their guts up because they were dumb enough to think they could fight while pregnant? It was endangering for both her and the baby. Thankfully, neither were hurt.

     “Yeah, I never thought you would settle down to be a counselor either,” Dinah replied, crossing her arms. No use trying to act all high and mighty anymore. She could pout. “I had to see it to believe it. Although it’s admirable to want to be with your kids. But everyone’s children? That’s probably why you weren’t exactly brought in with the welcome committee. I mean, Arkham Asylum. The name just kind of resonates with crazy.”

[hellraisinghelenawayne]

Helena couldn’t keep the grin off of her face as she talked to her son. He was her whole world, and it killed her to be so far away from him. “Mom said you were going to come visit me!” He countered. 

[blackcvnvry-blog]

    “Well, your mom isn’t as cool as I am,” she replied, nudging her shoulder against Helena. “And I’m trying to get her to leave to come see you.”

[hellraisinghelenawayne]

Helena laughed when the blonde streaked into the room, holding her phone out for her to see Abel waving. “Hi Auntie D!”

[blackcvnvry-blog]

    Dinah was nearly squealing. He was still as cute as a button. Oh, what she wouldn’t give to squish him.

    “How are you, darling? When are you coming to see me– I mean, visit your mom?”

[hellraisinghelenawayne]

@blackcvnvry

“DInah! Come here! Someone on FaceTime wants to say hi!”

[blackcvnvry-blog]

    “Ahhh! I’m coming!” Dinah jumped onto the couch beside her best friend and snatched the phone. “Hi, Abe!!”

[madenessxmayhem-deactivated2016]

Alexa bit her lip purely to try and stop from laughing at the thought of how that fight must have gone down, shaking her head to try and get the mental image out of her mind. “True, but hey, she stopped once she knew right? I mean i don’t know a lot of you heroes that’d fight while pregnant.” 

The blonde had to physically stop herself from rolling her eyes at the woman’s next comment. They really did believe in all that didn’t they? It was almost nauseating. “Oh god, have you still got that bucket?” She teased lightly. 

[blackcvnvry-blog]

    Thinking back on it, it was pretty hilarious. As soon as she had felt the waves of nausea that meant the impending vomiting, she almost didn’t care if Harley paid enough attention to her asking to stop or not. Probably would’ve made her feel better if she was hit with the mallet.

     “Yes, Harley did stop. Funny enough, I think I even made an odd friend with your mother. She seemed to take to the idea of me being pregnant quite sincerely. Even brought me gifts at the hospital.”

     At the mentions of the bucket, Dinah sighed and reached under her desk. “I visited your mother not too long ago,” she explained as she set the bucket atop the desk with a rather deadpan expression.

[ofbowsandhawkeyes-deactivated20]

Kate bit her lip and looked at the woman hesitantly. “Um, yeah, fine. The person I was talking about was me. I know, it’s a surprise.”

[blackcvnvry-blog]

     “I had no idea,” Dinah quipped, trying to lighten the mood. She leaned back in her chair, trying not to look as though she was scrutinizing the girl on the other side of her desk. “Would you like me to ask a few basic questions or would you just care to start rambling again? Whichever you prefer, I can handle either.”

[blackcvnvry-blog]

old habits / selina & dinah

[whxtsmyname]

Selina smiled and hugged her friend back. Even if she had been startled, she knew Dinah hadn’t meant to do that. She didn’t get attached to people easily, she supposed she was like a cat in that way too, but when she did, they had her loyalty for life unless they did something to jeopardize that.

When Dinah said she looked so in the zone, she wrinkled her nose. “Hardly. You showed up right on time, I was starting to go stir crazy.”

[blackcvnvry-blog]

     “Good, so was I,” Dinah said. She leaned against the door frame, arms crossed, and provided Selina with a taunting smile. “So I was thinking we could go out. But actually go out. Like we used to. I’m sure there’s some trouble we could get ourselves into, and I’m just dying to hit someone in the face. You in?”

     There was no way that Selina wouldn’t be. They used to meet up in the field often and team up... when it suited the Cat. Even if she was a neutral type, Dinah couldn’t help but feel like she had found an actual friend in her, and could never stay mad at the woman for long. Though it was clear how they both felt about the law, the Canary had to admit she would look away at times if it meant that Selina could get away with a small heist. The things she did for people she cared about...

[captainryangraves]

“I’m sorry.” He apologized again as he matched her chuckle. “No. Not really. It just happens somehow.” He said with a shrug. “I’m sorry I’m so heavy.” He apologized again as he looked up at Laurel.

[blackcvnvry-blog]

    “Oh, quit apologizing,” Dinah said, smirking sidelong at Oliver. “It’ll be fine soon. I’m getting you to the infirmary. A couple stitches– or hundred– and you’ll be fine!”

    Adjusting his weight on her shoulder, “Nah, you’re not that bad. I am strong, ya’know. It’s like a hero or something.” It was a lame joke but at least she was trying.

[aj-of-godspeed]

“I mean, i get the concept, I just didn’t think I’d see it in a history book or something….It’s quite sobering, actually.” He said, not looking up for the familair voice.

[blackcvnvry-blog]

    “They were important figures in Egyptian culture,” Dinah responded, glancing at the book before returning her gaze to Carver. “You alright or are you just not that excited to see me?”

[blackcvnvry-blog]

the better teacher / bruce & dinah

[espionvge-blog]

     Bruce saw the Canary’s reaction. He knew what she was about to do, what she would do, without an ounce of hesitation. But here? In the training room? With all the students around? Surely even Dinah wouldn’t be so reckless. 

    He watched her open her mouth, inhaling. Okay… Maybe he’d been wrong. 

    Or maybe he wasn’t and she was just bluffing. Either way, Bruce wasn’t taking any chances. He quickly jabbed her in the throat, knocking the wind out of her with the strength of the blow that would certainly render her voice hoarse for a least a week. 

    He glanced at her, an amused smirk on his face, before quirking an eyebrow and saying “sorry,” tone a clear indication that he was, in fact, not sorry. “Good sparring though, Dinah. Thanks for the practice. It’s been a few years, I was getting rusty. ” He released the woman, standing up and extending his hand out to shake hers, signifying the end of the match. 

[blackcvnvry-blog]

     That was it. One good hit to the throat was enough to render the Canary Cry mute. It must be the fact that she had such extreme control over her vocal chords as they were different because of her metagene, or something, but it was also extremely sensitive. Which meant that from this single blow, she was going to sound like she had screamed for hours at a concert. Fantastic.

     Ignoring his half-hearted compliment, she stared at his extended hand. She grabbed it, but instead of just hoisting herself to her feet, she flew upwards, head angled perfectly. Her forehead connected with Bruce, right in the mouth. She let go of his hand to watch him stumble backwards a step or two, holding his mouth. Like she was going to let him get away without a scratch. When he removed his hand, there was blood on his chin, and she smiled at his busted lip.

     “It’s not over until it’s over,” she retorted. Just as she expected, her voice was gravelly. She turned to the class nonetheless and bowed, and then gestured for the Knight. “Give your poor professor a round of applause. He tried his best today!”

[of-mvgic]

Skin Deep (Zatanna // & Open)

[of-mvgic]

      Zatanna had faded, unconscious, her head rolling back as she lost her grip on the Canary’s hand. She wasn’t all too sure what happened next, but vaguely remembered her girlfriend nearly screaming at a bunch of people, insisting on operating on the Magician, herself. 

     Since when had Dinah become a doctor? She made a mental note to ask her about that one later. 

    There was no pain, of course, not since she was sedated, anyways. So all Zatanna did was drift through the realm of the subconscious, dreaming about being some puppet on a string, dangling helplessly as the puppet master controlled her every move. Suddenly, one thread cut, then two, and then she was falling, black beaded eyes turning blood red. She was a walking, animated puppet, terrorizing the streets and wreaking havoc to those unsuspecting bystanders. 

    She cried out, wailing for relief. Wake up, Zatanna, wake up! 

   And wake up she did. Eyes popping open, not even taking a second to allow them to adjust to the blinding light of the nurse’s office. But hey, that just meant she was alive, and also that the Canary had succeeded in her operation. 

   The Magician tried to sit up, a wave of vertigo overcoming her and she lay back down, searching, nearly blinded, for that familiar face… The one who would make this all better. “Baby…?” She whispered, calling out for Dinah. 

[blackcvnvry-blog]

    There had been a little trouble getting an IV set up for Zatanna, with which Dinah needed help from a nervous nurse. It was after that Dinah started her work. Sometimes, doctors aren’t always accessible. There were times the Canary had to stitch herself up on the go. It came with a lot of practice. She was a little shaky having to operate on her girlfriend of only a short time, but she knew she had to suck it up and go forward. She cleaned the wound and threaded the needle, pulling the bullet hole close and sewing it back together. The first prick into the girl’s pale skin felt like she was doing it to herself. God, she hoped she couldn’t feel it. But the stitching was over soon enough and she tied the end, finishing with a snip.

     Now it was just a waiting game. Dinah stared off at the floor from her seat beside the infirmary bed and pondered absently to herself. The IV was set to a slow drip to allow Zatanna to gradually awaken, but it felt like forever. When she finally did stir, the blonde’s heart nearly jumped into her throat.

     “Shhh, it’s okay,” she said as she stood quickly, grabbing for the aimless hand looking for hers. She petted the fingers intertwined with her own. “Just rest, everything’s okay.” Those bleary blue eyes found hers, and she smiled. “And since when did you start calling me ‘baby’?”

[ivyqxinn]

Yahtzee! (Harley // & Open)

[ivyqxinn]

    “Dinah, darlin’!” Harley exclaimed, hopping up from her chair and cartwheeling over to the Canary. “Only subtle manipulation, Sugah, I told ‘em I was your sistah!” She winked, dissolving into a fit of hysterics before twirling over to her reservoir mountain of antics.  

    Harley rummaged through the pile, throwing random junk behind her, oblivious to the rubber toys rebounding off the wall and cascading all around.

    “I found it!!!” She cried enthusiastically, ignoring the now scattered pile of litter and bounding off the wall, flipping, and sticking the landing in front of the other woman. “Here ya go, Sugah!” She declared proudly, handing Dinah a fake moustache and a garbage pail.

    “In case, yaknow, I’m gonna have’tah imagine you in your third trimestah.” She pulled her arms out in front of her, imitating a severely pregnant woman. “We all know what that’s like! Ahahahaha!” She danced around the room, making her way back to her rolling chair, before kicking one over the Dinah. “Have a seat, Sugah. Tell me your stories!”

[blackcvnvry-blog]

    Of course. Dinah rolled her eyes at that line, remembering the exact moment she said it on the day her daughter was born. The only way it passed with anyone was because they looked remotely alike (maybe). When Harley wasn’t wearing her crazy makeup, or when her hair looked like she could have possibly ran a brush through it... or whatever else that made them so totally polar opposites.

     Dinah watched with a less than amused expression as the circus tore through her room, searching for whatever it was that she obviously desperately needed. Anyone would guess that this chick was on cocaine or something. The Canary had seen this all before quite a few times, so she wasn’t as surprised as she used to get with how energetic and obnoxiously bubbly Harley was. She didn’t even flinch when she landed in front of her, forced to accept the mustache and bucket. Of course. She was never going to live down her morning sickeness. First, Alexa, now with Harley. Was that the reputation Black Canary had these days?

     The chair came rolling haphazardly towards her. Dinah caught it effortlessly and set down her “gifts” beside her on the floor once she was seated across from the... guidance counselor.

     “Not much of anything for me, Quinn,” Dinah said, shrugging her shoulders. “Just set myself up here, to be around what remained of the League and family, and also my daughter. Never saw myself to be the professor type, but here we are.” She fixed Harley with a suspicious look. “The real mystery is: why are you here?”

[ivyqxinn]

Yahtzee! (Harley // & Open)

     “Ooh, goody, my first day at Vindex Academy!” Harleen giggled, bounding into her office chair and spinning on it with increasing excitement. “WHEEE!!!” She squealed, lifting her legs up as she twirled, unfazed by the dizziness and nausea beginning to wash over her. 

     If it had been anyone else starting as a Guidance Counsellor at some dumb school, the office would be organized meticulously, perhaps offering a comfortable environment for the students. But because this was Harleen Quinzel, the ex-psychiatrist and ex-con of Arkham Asylum, she’d just heaped all her supplies together in one giant mess. No use cleaning it! Knowing her, there would be a significant number of tantrums occurring in this office. It’d be a mess in a couple o’ hours, anyways. So instead, she opted for playing Mario on her Iphone. 

    “YAHTZEE!” She exclaimed. New high score!

   Then, she heard it. A knock on the door. Harley shot her head up, smile extending across her face. But there was no one there. 

   “Ooh, right, silly me! Come in!” She exclaimed. Her first victim! Err… Client.

[blackcvnvry-blog]

    There was no way. They would let... her in here? Sure, Dinah wasn’t exactly a guidance counselor at Vindex, more of a psychologist that the students or even teachers came to willingly for issues they wanted kept completely confidential, but they would hire Harley Quinn in their faculty? As a guidance counselor?

     “Guidance, my ass,” Dinah muttered to herself. She walked up to the door that already had HARLEEN QUINZEL stamped boldly on its frosted window. A half-chuckle-half-scoff sound was emitted. The Canary shook her head at the ground as she lifted her hand to knock. There was no answer for a couple seconds. Then suddenly, Harley’s unmistakable voice granting entrance.

     “Please enlighten me to as to how you landed this job.” Pause. “Unless it includes some form of manipulation, then please don’t.”

    Vindex was quickly becoming a loony bin.

[blackcvnvry-blog]

the better teacher / bruce & dinah

[espionvge-blog]

     Bruce buckled under the kick, faltering slightly, just long enough for his defenses to waiver and leave his head vulnerable. It wasn’t, however, a mistake. 

     Batman could take a hit. Armor or not, the blow was damaging but not unbearable. He stumbled back, catching his balance, before bracing himself for his final move. This match would be over. 

     “Don’t be too sure,” was all he said as he charged back at Dinah, who was still hovering by the wall. He slammed her against it, skull connecting with brick, and tossed her to the ground mid daze. 

     He wasn’t taking any chances. As he threw her to the ground, he twisted her body, catching her arms and twisting them back. Finally, he rested on top of her, shifting all his weight onto her legs. In this position, Dinah was completely immobilized. 

     “Checkmate.”

[blackcvnvry-blog]

    Imagine having a hulking, broody man– who is actually Batman– charge you like a bull. No motive but to slam you. Dinah felt the back of her head crack against the wall, dazing her. This wasn’t Oliver, after all, who couldn’t help but go easy on her whenever they were sparring. No, this was Bruce, someone worth a match, and he wasn’t going to hold bars for her.

     Okay, then...

    Next moment, she was looking up at Bruce. Her arms were twisted around behind her as she laid on them, and his immense weight was on her thighs, immobilizing her. Well, if this had been an actual fight with a real enemy, she would have been in some serious trouble. To be fair, she would have never allowed herself to get into this position... She smirked. Bruce knew what was going to happen. And for the students who were aware of her Black Canary status, they knew what was going to happen.

     The Black Canary opened her mouth and inhaled.

     Think fast, Brucie.